Media Streaming Devices

About Media Streaming Devices

What is streaming media?

Streaming media involves using the internet to transport media, such as a movie, directly to a TV, smart phone or tablet. Streaming media to your devices from the Cloud allows you to free-up space in your home that would have otherwise been housed to store DVDs and CDs.

What is a media streaming device?

A media streaming device is a device that is used to stream media content directly to your TV from the internet. They can be used to turn your current TV into a smart TV.

How do media streaming devices work?

Media devices don’t all work in the same way. Some devices come in the form of a USB stick that connects to the internet, plugs into your TV and streams media directly from the internet to your TV. These devices usually also come with a remote that allows you to flick through the media content available. Other devices plug into your TV’s HDMI port and connect to the internet via an app on a smartphone, tablet or laptop.

What are the most popular streaming devices?

The Google Chromecast is one of the most popular streaming devices. Since its release in 2013, the Chromecast has undergone a significant make-over. Unlike the first Chromecast, the Chromecast Generation 2 doesn’t come as a USB stick, but a round, disk-shaped device with a HDMI lead. The Chromecast plugs into your TV’s HDMI port and is connected to the internet via a Google app on your phone or tablet. Once the Chromecast has been connected, you can use your phone or tablet to select which videos you wish to stream.

Do all devices connect to the TV?

As well as the Google Chromecast, Google have also designed the Chromecast Audio, a type of media streaming device that allows you to stream music from your phone to your speakers. The Chromecast Audio works in a similar way to the Chromecast Generation 2, connecting to the internet through an app on your phone or tablet, and plugging into your speaker system via a yellow audio jack.